The Cleveland Guardians have been getting good production from their outfielders.
Well, at least from one of them: Steven Kwan and his .877 OPS.
Will Brennan and Tyler Freeman have cooled off in recent games, and they need to start playing better or they risk ceding their starting spots to some hot prospects.
In this case, the Guardians are full of talented outfield prospects who could eventually pose a threat to their playing time.
The best of the bunch is, no doubt, Chase DeLauter.
After an explosive spring and a fantastic showing in the minor leagues last year, DeLauter is showing the best of his talents in Double-A.
He is still yet to fully get going at the plate (.077 batting average in 17 plate appearances), but he is making sure to contribute with his glove.
“Nothing gets past Chase DeLauter. The @CleGuardians‘ top prospect steals a hit in center field for @AkronRubberDuck,” MLB Pipeline tweeted with a video of DeLauter making a running catch in center.
Nothing gets past Chase DeLauter.
The @CleGuardians' top prospect steals a hit in center field for @AkronRubberDuck. pic.twitter.com/dmrR6G2T2p
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) April 10, 2024
He has an unorthodox swing, but his .366/.403/.549 line in High-A last year and a .364/.464/.409 performance in six Double-A games in 2023 leave little room for doubt: the guy can rake.
Oh, and he hit .520/.600/1.040 in 13 spring games, too.
He is not all bat, though.
Reports on his defense are good: he is seen as an above-average glove with the potential for more.
As he grows and develops better routes and instincts out there, he could become an asset.
Either in 2024 or 2025, DeLauter figures to be a mainstay in the Guardians lineup and defensive alignment.
NEXT: Guardians Relievers Continue To Pace MLB
